Vascular filter

ABSTRACT

A vascular filter ( 1 ) comprises a proximal support hoop ( 3 ), a plurality of support struts ( 5 ), and a plurality of capture arms ( 6 ). The proximal support hoop ( 3 ) extends around the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a wave pattern having six distal peaks ( 11 ) and six proximal peaks ( 11 ). The proximal support hoop ( 3 ) comprises an enlarged end element at each peak ( 11 ). The support struts ( 5 ) extend longitudinally along the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a curve ( 14 ). Two capture arms ( 6 ) are connected to the proximal support hoop ( 3 ) at each distal peak ( 11 ). Each capture arm  6  extends from the distal peak ( 11 ) to an apex ( 7 ) in a curve ( 12, 13 ). The concave portion of the first curve ( 12 ) faces inwardly towards the concave portion of the second curve ( 13 ).

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to a vascular filter.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a vascular filtercomprising:

one or more capture members for capturing thrombus passing through ablood vessel, and

one or more support members for supporting the one or more capturemembers relative to a wall of the blood vessel.

By capturing the thrombus, the filter prevents the thrombus from passingto the heart or lungs, which may cause pulmonary embolism. By supportingthe capture members this ensures that the capture members are maintainedin the desired location in the blood vessel.

In one embodiment of the invention the capture member is movable from acapturing configuration to an open configuration, in the capturingconfiguration the capture member being configured to capture thrombuspassing through a blood vessel, in the open configuration the capturemember being configured to facilitate unrestricted blood flow.Preferably in the capturing configuration the capture member extendstowards an apex. Ideally in the capturing configuration the capturemember extends towards the apex in a curve.

In another embodiment the support member is movable between a deliveryconfiguration and a deployed configuration.

In one case at least part of the support member is configured to extendcircumferentially around a wall of a blood vessel in a wave pattern.Preferably the support member comprises a plurality of connectorelements, each connector element connecting a peak of the wave patternto an adjacent peak of the wave pattern. Ideally the support membercomprises an enlarged end element at a peak of the wave pattern. Thisarrangement results in greater flexibility, in lower strains, and ingreater resistance to buckling. Most preferably in the deliveryconfiguration the diameter of curvature of the end element is greaterthan the distance between adjacent connector elements. The wave patternof the support member may comprise less than twelve distal peaks. Thisarrangement results in greater resistance to buckling. Preferably thewave pattern of the support member comprises less than ten distal peaks.Ideally the wave pattern of the support member comprises less than eightdistal peaks. The capture member may be connected to the support memberat a distal peak of the wave pattern. Preferably a first capture memberis connected to the support member at a first distal peak of the wavepattern, and a second capture member is connected to the support memberat the first distal peak of the wave pattern. Ideally in the capturingconfiguration the first capture member extends from the first distalpeak of the wave pattern towards the apex in a first curve, and thesecond capture member extends from the first distal peak of the wavepattern towards the apex in a second curve, the concave portion of thefirst curve facing inwardly towards the concave portion of the secondcurve. This arrangement minimises any gap between adjacent capturemembers, and thus improves filter efficiency.

In another case at least part of the support member is configured toextend longitudinally along a wall of a blood vessel. Preferably thesupport member is configured to extend longitudinally in a curve. Thisarrangement minimises any bowing or lift-off of the support member fromthe wall of the blood vessel. Thus the contact force between the supportmember and the blood vessel is maximised which enhances resistance tobuckling. Most preferably when the filter is deployed externally of ablood vessel, in the open configuration the convex portion of the curvefaces radially outwardly. In the open configuration the ratio of R1:R2may be in the range of from 1:1 to 1.5:1, where

R1 is the distance of the support member from the central longitudinalaxis of the filter at the point along the support member where thisdistance is at a maximum, and

R2 is the distance of the support member from the central longitudinalaxis of the filter at an end of the support member.

In the capturing configuration the maximum distance between the supportmember and a wall of a blood vessel may be less than 4 mm. In thecapturing configuration the maximum distance between the support memberand a wall of a blood vessel may be less than 2 mm.

In one embodiment the radial dimension of the support member is greaterthan 0.20 mm. This arrangement results in greater resistance tobuckling. Preferably the radial dimension of the support member isgreater than 0.25 mm. Ideally the radial dimension of the support memberis greater than 0.30 mm.

In another embodiment at least part of the support member comprises oneor more elongate elements, the width of at least one of the elongateelements being greater than 0.25 mm. This arrangement results in greaterresistance to buckling. Preferably the width of the elongate element isgreater than 0.30 mm. Ideally the width of the elongate element isgreater than 0.35 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a vascular filter according to theinvention in a deployed capturing configuration,

FIG. 2 is a developed side view of the vascular filter of FIG. 1 in adelivery configuration,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged developed side view of part of the vascular filterof FIG. 2 in the delivery configuration,

FIG. 4 is a side view of the vascular filter of FIG. 1 in the deployedcapturing configuration,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of part of the vascular filter of FIG. 4in the deployed capturing configuration,

FIG. 6 is an end view of the vascular filter of FIG. 1 in the deployedcapturing configuration,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view of part of the vascular filter of FIG. 6in the deployed capturing configuration,

FIG. 7(a) is an end view of the vascular filter of FIG. 1 duringmanufacture,

FIG. 7(b) is an enlarged end view of part of the vascular filter of FIG.7(a) during manufacture,

FIG. 8 is a side view of the vascular filter of FIG. 1 in a deployedopen configuration,

FIG. 9 is a graph of force versus displacement, and

FIG. 10 is an end view illustrating buckling of a vascular filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a vascular filter 1according to the invention. The vascular filter 1 is suitable for use asan inferior vena cava filter in the inferior vena cava. The filter 1 ismovable from a capturing configuration (FIG. 4) to an open configuration(FIG. 8) upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the capturingconfiguration the filter 1 is configured to capture thrombus passingthrough the inferior vena cava towards the heart and the lungs. Thefilter 1 may thus be used to prevent pulmonary embolism, In the openconfiguration the filter 1 is configured to facilitate unrestrictedblood flow.

The filter 1 is movable between a collapsed delivery configuration(FIGS. 2 and 3) and an expanded deployed configuration (FIGS. 1 and 4).The filter 1 is biased radially outwardly towards the deployedconfiguration.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the filter 1 comprises a proximal support hoop3 at the proximal end of the filter 1, a distal support hoop 4 at thedistal end of the filter 1, and a plurality of support struts 5extending between the proximal support hoop 3 and the distal supporthoop 4.

In this patent specification, the term ‘proximal’ will be understood tomean the end closest to a user when carrying out a procedure accessedfrom a femoral vein, or the caudal end. Similarly the term ‘distal’ willbe understood to mean the end furthest from a user when carrying out aprocedure accessed from a femoral vein, or the cranial end.

The proximal support hoop 3 extends circumferentially around theinternal wall of the inferior vena cava in a zig-zag wave pattern. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the proximal support hoop 3 comprises a pluralityof elongate connector elements 10. Each connector element 10 connects apeak 11 of the wave pattern to an adjacent peak 11 of the wave pattern.

In this case the wave pattern of the proximal support hoop 3 comprisessix distal peaks 11 and six proximal peaks 11. It has been found thatthe filter 1 having six distal peaks 11 and six proximal peaks 11 isparticularly resistant to buckling.

The proximal support hoop 3 comprises an enlarged end element at eachpeak 11 of the wave pattern. In the delivery configuration the diameterof curvature of the end element 11 is greater than the distance betweenadjacent connector elements 10. The geometry of the crown tips 11 allowsfor less rigid movement of the proximal support hoop 3 and also allowsfor lower strains in the proximal support hoop 3. Enhanced flexibilityof the crown 3 minimises the probability of buckling. The crown 3 of thefilter 1 offers increased torsional flexibility. This flexibility helpsto minimise the probability of budding.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the radial dimension or wall thickness t ofthe proximal support hoop 3 is 0.33 mm in this case. It has been foundthat the filter 1 has a greater resistance to buckling and a higherradial force. The width w of each connector element 10 is 0.38 mm inthis case. The filter 1 with six distal peaks 11 and six proximal peaks11 has a particularly low profile in the delivery configuration. Thislow profile enables larger strut thickness t and width w for a givendelivery profile.

Similarly the distal support hoop 4 extends circumferentially around theinternal wall of the inferior vena cava in a zigzag wave pattern. Thedistal support hoop 4 comprises a plurality of elongate connectorelements 10. Each connector element 10 connects a peak 11 of the wavepattern to an adjacent peak 11 of the wave pattern.

In this case the wave pattern of the distal support hoop 4 comprises sixdistal peaks 11 and six proximal peaks 11.

The distal support hoop 4 comprises an enlarged end element at each peak11 of the wave pattern. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the deliveryconfiguration the diameter of curvature of the end element 11 is greaterthan the distance between adjacent connector elements 10.

The radial dimension or wall thickness of the distal support hoop 4 is0.33 mm in this case. The width of each connector element 10 is 0.38 mmin this case.

The support struts 5 extend longitudinally along the internal wall ofthe inferior vena cava in a curve 14. The support struts 5 connect theproximal support hoop 3 to the distal support hoop 4. In this case theproximal support hoop 3, the distal support hoop 4 and the supportstruts 5 are formed integrally. The proximal support hoop 3, the distalsupport hoop 4 and the support struts 5 may be of a shape-memorymaterial, such as Nitinol.

The radial dimension or wall thickness of each support strut 5 is 0.33mm in this case. The width of each support strut 5 is 0.38 mm in thiscase.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the filter 1 comprises twelve capture arms 6for capturing thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava.

Each capture arm 6 is formed integrally with the proximal support hoop3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, for each distal peak 11 of the wave patterna first capture arm 6 is connected to the proximal support hoop 3 at thedistal peak 11, and a second capture arm 6 is connected to the proximalsupport hoop 3 at the distal peak 11.

Each capture arm 6 is movable from the capturing configuration (FIG. 4)to the open configuration (FIG. 8) upon elapse of the predeterminedperiod of time. In the capturing configuration the capture arms 6 areconfigured to capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cavetowards the heart and the lungs. In the open configuration the capturearms 6 are configured to facilitate unrestricted blood flow.

In the capturing configuration each capture arm 6 extends to an apex 7in a curve. As illustrated in FIG. 4, for each distal peak 11 of thewave pattern the first capture arm 6 extends from the distal peak 11 tothe apex 7 in a first curve 12, and the second capture arm 6 extendsfrom the distal peak 11 to the apex 7 in a second curve 13. The concaveportion of the first curve 12 faces inwardly towards the concave portionof the second alive 13. In this manner the capture arms 6 define agenerally conically shaped capture region 8 within which thrombus may becaptured. Any gaps between adjacent filter elements 6 in the filtrationcone 8 are minimised. The filter elements 6 are shape set to maximisefilter efficiency.

In this specification, the term curve will be understood to mean asmooth curve or two or more discreet straight sections. For example, thefilter element 6 curvature may be heat set to extend towards the apex ina series of two straights. It is appreciated that 2 or more discretestraights, or, a smooth curve, or, a set of smooth curves, may beemployed to maximise filter efficiency.

A perimeter route is defined from a first distal peak 11 of the proximalsupport hoop 3 along a first connector element 10 to a proximal peak 11of the proximal support hoop 3, from the proximal peak 11 along a secondconnector element 10 to a second distal peak 11 of the proximal supporthoop 3, from the second distal peak 11 along a first support strut 5 toa first proximal peak 11 of the distal support hoop 4, from the firstproximal peak 11 along a third connector element 10 to a distal peak 11of the distal support hoop 4, from the distal peak 11 along a fourthconnector element 10 to a second proximal peak 11 of the distal supporthoop 4, from the second proximal peak 11 along a second support strut 5to the first distal peak 11 of the proximal support hoop 3. A cell isdefined within the perimeter route. The filter 1 comprises six suchcells. Two capture arms 6 are attached to each cell in both thecapturing configuration (FIG. 4) and the open configuration (FIG. 8).This arrangement results in a balanced cell spacing for consistentfiltration pore size.

During manufacture the capture arms 6 are formed into the curved shapes.FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate the capture arms 6 before forming intothe curved shapes. FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate the cut pattern ofFIG. 2 expanded without heat setting the capture arms 6.

When the filter 1 is deployed in the inferior vena cava, the apex 7 issubstantially in-line with the longitudinal axis extending through thecentre of the inferior vena cava, and the capture region 8 is located inthe region of the centre of the inferior vena cava. When the filter 1 isdeployed in the inferior vena cava, the capture arms 6 extend in thedirection of blood flow through the inferior vena cava.

The capture arms 6 are movable from the capturing configuration to theopen configuration upon elapse of the predetermined period of time. Thecapture anus 6 are biased towards the open configuration.

The filter 1 comprises a holder member at the distal ends of the capturearms 6 to temporarily hold the capture arms 6 in the capturingconfiguration until elapse of the predetermined period of time. Theholder member engages with each capture arm 6 to hold the capture arms 6in the capturing configuration. At least part of the holder member isbiodegradable and/or bioabsorbable upon elapse of the predeterminedperiod of time. Upon biodegrading/bioabsorbing of the holder member, thecapture arms 6 are free to move from the capturing configuration to theopen configuration. The capture arms 6 are not biodegradable orbioabsorbable.

The distal end of the distal support hoop 4 is located distally of thecapture arms 6 and the apex 7, and the proximal end of the proximalsupport hoop 3 is located proximally of the capture arms 6.

When the filter 1 is deployed in the inferior vena cava, the supporthoops 3, 4 and the support struts 5 exert a force radially outwardly onthe internal wall of the inferior vena cava. In this manner the supporthoops 3, 4 and the support struts 5 support the capture arms 6 inposition relative to the wall of the inferior vena cava 2.

In the capturing configuration the maximum distance between each supportstrut 5 and a wall of a blood vessel may be less than 4 mm, andpreferably is less than 2 mm. In the capturing configuration the concaveportion of the curve 14 of the support struts 5 may face radiallyoutwardly (FIG. 4), or alternatively the support struts S may bestraight, or alternatively the convex portion of the curve 14 of thesupport struts 5 may face radially outwardly.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the filter is deployed externally of ablood vessel, in the open configuration the convex portion of the curve14 of the support struts 5 faces radially outwardly. In the openconfiguration the ratio of R1:R2 is in the range of from 1:1 to 1.5:1,where

R1 is the distance of each support strut 5 from the central longitudinalaxis of the filter 1 at the point along the support strut 5 where thisdistance is at a maximum, and

R2 is the distance of the support strut 5 from the central longitudinalaxis of the filter 1 at an end of the support strut 5 where the supportstrut 5 is connected to either the proximal support hoop 3 or the distalsupport hoop 4.

In this case the largest radius R1 of the convex portion of the curve 14is 17 mm, and the radius R2 of the proximal support hoop 3 and thedistal support hoop 4 is 15 mm. The barrel shape of the filter 1 reducesany bowing or lift-off of the support struts 5 from the blood vesselwall, increases the contact force of the support hoops 3, 4 with theblood vessel, and improves buckling resistance.

In use the filter 1 is collapsed to the delivery configuration (FIGS. 2and 3), and at least partially loaded into a delivery catheter. Thedelivery catheter is advanced through the inferior vena cava until thecollapsed filter 1 reaches the desired location in the inferior venacave. A restraining sheath of the delivery catheter is then movedproximally relative to the filter 1 to filly uncover the filter 1. Dueto the biasing nature of the filter 1, the filter 1 moves from thecollapsed delivery configuration to the expanded deployed configuration(FIG. 4). In the deployed configuration, the support hoops 3, 4 and thesupport struts 5 exert a radially outward force on the internal wall ofthe inferior vena cave to support the capture arms 6 in the desiredposition in the inferior vena cava.

In the event of thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava towardsthe heart and the lungs, the thrombus will be captured in the captureregion 8 of the filter 1. The thrombus will thus be prevented frompassing into the heart and the lungs which could otherwise lead topulmonary embolism. The captured thrombus will gradually be broken downby the body into smaller size particles which will significantly reducethe risk of embolism.

The holder member temporarily holds the capture arms 6 in the capturingconfiguration until elapse of the predetermined period of time. Uponelapse of the predetermined period of time the holder memberbiodegades/bioabsorbs. This enables the capture arms 6 to move from thecapturing configuration to the open configuration (FIG. 8). In the openconfiguration the filter 1 facilitates unrestricted blood flow. Thesupport hoops 3, 4, the support struts 5 and the capture arms 6 remainin the inferior vena cava.

It will be appreciated that the proximal support hoop 3 and/or car thedistal support hoop 4 may comprise any suitable number of distal peaksand proximal peaks. For example the proximal support hoop 3 and/or thedistal support hoop 4 may comprise eleven distal peaks and elevenproximal peaks, or may comprise ten distal peaks and ten proximal peaks,or may comprise nine distal peaks and nine proximal peaks, or maycomprise eight distal peaks and eight proximal peaks, or may compriseseven distal peaks and seven proximal peaks, or may comprise five distalpeaks and five proximal peaks, or may comprise four distal peaks andfour proximal peaks, or may comprise three distal peaks and threeproximal peaks.

FIG. 9 illustrates the buckling behaviour of filters having a differentnumber of peaks. Each filter was placed in a blood vessel having a 16 mmdiameter and a crown tip 11 was pulled toward the centre of the bloodvessel. The reaction force or force exerted by the filter against thismovement is plotted on the graph of FIG. 9. The force and displacementvalues on the graph are negative as the force is a compressive/pushingforce and the crown tip 11 is moving negatively into the centre of theblood vessel.

FIG. 9 illustrates that at the largest displacement the filter havingsix distal peaks and six proximal peaks exerts a particularly high forceagainst the deformation applied, and thus the filter having six distalpeaks and six proximal peaks is highly resistant to buckling.

FIG. 10 illustrates buckling of a vascular filter deployed in a bloodvessel.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described,with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied inconstruction and detail.

1. A vascular filter comprising: one or more capture members forcapturing thrombus passing through a blood vessel, and one or moresupport members for supporting the one or more capture members relativeto a wall of the blood vessel.
 2. A filter as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe capture member is movable from a capturing configuration to an openconfiguration, in the capturing configuration the capture member beingconfigured to capture thrombus passing through a blood vessel, in theopen configuration the capture member being configured to facilitateunrestricted blood flow.
 3. A filter as claimed in claim 2 wherein inthe capturing configuration the capture member extends towards an apex.4. A filter as claimed in claim 3 wherein in the capturing configurationthe capture member extends towards the apex in a curve.
 5. A filter asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the support member is movable between adelivery configuration and a deployed configuration.
 6. A filter asclaimed in claim 1, wherein at least part of the support member isconfigured to extend circumferentially around a wall of a blood vesselin a wave pattern.
 7. A filter as claimed in claim 6, wherein thesupport member comprises a plurality of connector elements, eachconnector element connecting a peak of the wave pattern to an adjacentpeak of the wave pattern.
 8. A filter as claimed in claim 6, wherein thesupport member comprises an enlarged end element at a peak of the wavepattern.
 9. A filter as claimed in claim 8, wherein in the deliveryconfiguration the diameter of curvature of the end element is greaterthan the distance between adjacent connector elements.
 10. A filter asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the wave pattern of the support membercomprises less than twelve distal peaks.
 11. A filter as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the wave pattern of the support member comprises lessthan ten distal peaks.
 12. A filter as claimed in claim 11, wherein thewave pattern of the support member comprises less than eight distalpeaks.
 13. A filter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the capture member isconnected to the support member at a distal peak of the wave pattern.14. A filter as claimed in claim 13, wherein a first capture member isconnected to the support member at a first distal peak of the wavepattern, and a second capture member is connected to the support memberat the first distal peak of the wave pattern.
 15. A filter as claimed inclaim 14, wherein in the capturing configuration the first capturemember extends from the first distal peak of the wave pattern towardsthe apex in a first curve, and the second capture member extends fromthe first distal peak of the wave pattern towards the apex in a secondcurve, the concave portion of the first curve facing inwardly towardsthe concave portion of the second curve.
 16. A filter as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least part of the support member is configured toextend longitudinally along a wall of a blood vessel.
 17. A filter asclaimed in claim 16, wherein the support member is configured to extendlongitudinally in a curve.
 18. A filter as claimed in claim 17, whereinwhen the filter is deployed externally of a blood vessel, in the openconfiguration the convex portion of the curve faces radially outwardly.19. A filter as claimed in claim 18, wherein in the open configurationthe ratio of R1:R2 is in the range of from 1:1 to 1.5:1, where R1 is thedistance of the support member from the central longitudinal axis of thefilter at the point along the support member where this distance is at amaximum, and R2 is the distance of the support member from the centrallongitudinal axis of the filter at an end of the support member.
 20. Afilter as claimed in claim 16, wherein in the capturing configurationthe maximum distance between the support member and a wall of a bloodvessel is less than 4 mm. 21-27. (canceled)